60 Harrogate jobs created in £1.7m superstore revamp

A £1.7million investment in a Harrogate superstore will create 60 new jobs and provide a rival for the forthcoming Marks and Spencer development on Leeds Road.

Sainsbury’s is currently refurbishing its Wetherby Road store, and the rebuild will see a new cafe and private dentist surgery installed, alongside other new shops, to operate separately from the supermarket.

A total of 60 new full and part-time roles have been created as a result of the development.

Along with the new cafe, which will replace the site’s former Starbucks branch when it opens on October 16, the store is building a pizza bar and the layout of Sainsbury’s aisles is being revamped.

Store manager Steve Thompson said: “Our colleagues can’t wait to use the new facilities and continue to provide great service to our customers.

“The improvements are going to help improve our customers’ shopping experience and that’s obviously really important to us.”

In March, employees at a branch of Thomas Cook based at the supermarket lost their jobs as part of the travel group’s bid to cut costs.

The jobs boost could come as relief to the town, following the closure of major stores during 2012.

Along with the Thomas Cook blow, jobs were lost when Harrogate branches of Comet and Blockbuster shut.

The town’s Lewis and Cooper store also shut. Photography store Jessops closed but was reopened following investment.

Marks and Spencer opens next July on Leeds Road in Harrogate , and building work is currently underway.